The Chicago Cubs defeated the Boston Red Sox in the series opener at Wrigley Field on Friday.
The Chicago Cubs beat the Boston Red Sox 4-1 on Friday, putting an end to Boston’s 10-game winning streak.
Right-hander Colin Rea toed the rubber for the Cubs and allowed just one run on four hits over five innings of work, striking out five batters and walking four.
Righty Lucas Giolito took the bump for the red-hot Red Sox, allowing four runs on five hits over 5.1 innings, striking out six hitters and walking two.
Notable All-Star snub Seiya Suzuki blasted his 26th home run in the first inning after Giolito walked Michael Busch and Kyle Tucker, knocking in his National League-leading 80th RBI in the process.
“Put men on base in front of him, and good things seem to happen this year,” said manager Craig Counsell about Suzuki’s dominant offensive season.
Former top prospect Roman Anthony delivered Boston’s only run on an RBI double in the third inning.
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Pete Crow-Armstrong made another great play in center field, throwing out Abraham Toro at second base after catching a line drive off Alex Bregman’s bat for a momentum-shifting double play.
Nico Hoerner added a clutch insurance marker by driving in his 40th run with a single to left field, scoring Ian Happ in the sixth inning.
Cubs ace Shota Imanaga will face Boston’s Brayan Bello in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday.
The Cubs desperately needed this win to open the second half, as the Milwaukee Brewers are winners of their last seven games and eight of their last 10.
Chicago currently has a one-and-a-half game lead over the Brewers for first place in the NL Central.
The Red Sox are holding the second American League Wild Card spot and sit just three-and-a-half games back from the Toronto Blue Jays for first place in the AL East.
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Category: Baseball
